Trains from San Diego to Oceanside
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
No Wanderu Fees
Without any extra fees, we make it easy to book your tickets.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Trip Summary
There are 10 daily trains from San Diego to Oceanside. Traveling by train from San Diego to Oceanside usually takes around 50 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 45 minutes.
| Distance | 36 mi (57 km) |
| Fastest train | 0h 45m |
| Lowest price | $17.35 |
| Trains per day | 20 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Overall score for trains from San Diego to Oceanside
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Price trends for trains from San Diego to Oceanside
Average prices by travel date
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Which train should you take from San Diego to Oceanside?
2 train services operate from San Diego to Oceanside. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has more trains scheduled, with 8 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 0h 50m | $17.85 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 8 | 0h 50m | $17.86 |
Amtrak
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 2 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Oceanside every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $17.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 8 train trips from San Diego to Oceanside every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $17.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by train from San Diego to Oceanside during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the train or in stations.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
How long is the train journey from San Diego to Oceanside?
The distance between San Diego and Oceanside is approximately 36 miles, or 57 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 50 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 45 minutes. It's a short and pleasant ride; the train is a perfect way to get to Oceanside.
When are trains the most crowded?
Trains departing from San Diego to Oceanside tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs San Diego at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from San Diego to Oceanside?
There are 10 scheduled trains on most days. 20 of these are direct connections to Oceanside. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Oceanside to San Diego.
City Information
San Diego
San Diego is known as "America's Finest City" for its sunny weather, white-sand beaches, and dazzling attractions from Belmont Park to SeaWorld. San Diego's 70 miles of pristine beaches include such gems as Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Coronado Beach. The city's strong surfing culture may even inspire you to rent a surfboard and catch the epic waves, bro.
Visitors can spend days getting lost in Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre cultural hub which features 16 museums, immaculate gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The historic heart of the city, Old Town, showcases San Diego's heritage and ties to Mexican culture, while other sights like the USS Midway pay tribute to the city's military and maritime history. Leave time for some evening exploring, too! San Diego is rated the #1 best city for craft beer in America, so don't miss out on the bars in the Gaslamp Quarter: 16 walkable blocks packed with nightlife and young crowds.
Two airports, as well as many bus and train options, mean it is easy to get to San Diego from afar or from nearby cities like Tijuana, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
Oceanside
Oceanside is a beautiful coastal city in Southern California, best known for its lovely beaches and stunning ocean views. Visitors can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities such as swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, and more.
There are also many great points of interest worth checking out, including the Oceanside Pier, which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Also, don't miss the Oceanside Museum of Art, which houses a collection of art from across the globe. Other attractions include Mission San Luis Rey and the California Surf Museum.
The city also boasts a variety of popular neighborhoods and nightlife destinations, like Downtown Oceanside or Coastal Highway, which are home to several bars and restaurants, and The Strand, which offers a vibrant nightlife scene.
Most ground travel to Oceanside operates through the Oceanside Transit Center. Here, Metrolink trains and local buses connect to Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route and intercity bus lines like Greyhound. The nearest airport is the McClellan-Palomar Airport, about 3 miles away from the center of Oceanside.
Station Information
Where is the train station in San Diego?
Image credit: Doug Letterman
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
The Santa Fe Depot is the main train station in San Diego and one of the end points of the Pacific Surfliner, the only Amtrak train line that serves the city. The station is also used by the Green Line of the San Diego Trolley light rail transit service and the COASTER commuter rail service that connects the city with the central and northern coastal regions of San Diego County. Opened in 1915, the Santa Fe Depot is famous for its Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture and grand interior space that features natural redwood beam ceilings and ceramic details. The train station is located in the heart of Downtown San Diego, making it easy to reach from all parts of the city.
All train stations in San Diego:
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
4005 Taylor St
Where is the train station in Oceanside?
Main arrival station: Oceanside Transit Center
Oceanside has one train station.
All train stations in Oceanside:
Oceanside Transit Center
Need a return trip from Oceanside to San Diego?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from San Diego
- San Diego to Phoenix
$119+
- Train from San Diego to Anaheim
$31+
- San Diego to Fullerton
$31+
- Train from San Diego to Irvine
$27+
- Train from San Diego to Long Beach
$50+
- Train from San Diego to Los Angeles
$37+
- Train from San Diego to Sacramento
$77+
- Train from San Diego to San Clemente
$22+
- San Diego to San Francisco Train
$75+
- Train from San Diego to San Jose
$70+
- Train from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano
$24+
- Train from San Diego to Santa Barbara
$45+
- Train from San Diego to Denver
$203+
- Train from San Diego to Chicago
$231+
- San Diego to Las Vegas
$115+
- Train from San Diego to New York
$291+
- Train from San Diego to Portland
$142+
- San Diego to Seattle Train
$153+
Continue by train from Oceanside
- Oceanside to Anaheim Train
$20+
- Train from Oceanside to Burbank
$31+
- Oceanside to Fresno Train
$45+
- Oceanside to Fullerton Train
$22+
- Train from Oceanside to Irvine
$18+
- Oceanside to Long Beach
$43+
- Train from Oceanside to Los Angeles
$30+
- Train from Oceanside to Oxnard
$39+
- Train from Oceanside to San Clemente
$12+
- Oceanside to San Diego
$18+
- Train from Oceanside to San Francisco
$71+
- Oceanside to San Jose
$66+
- Train from Oceanside to San Juan Capistrano
$15+
- Train from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo
$55+
- Train from Oceanside to Santa Ana
$19+
- Oceanside to Santa Barbara Train
$42+
- Oceanside to Ventura Train
$40+
- Train from Oceanside to Seattle
$147+
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more